Yeah, seriously I live in Europe and this thread makes me feel much better about my lifestyle. My salary is no where near 300k USD, more like 80-100k, but I manage to support a family of three and put away 15k USD per year in private savings. All this in a mid-sized city with a high quality of life.

What the f**k is wrong with OP? That is no way to feel poor. This is how one feels poor.
Mortgage - 3.5K
Bills (utility etc) - 1.5k
HOA - 0.4K
Food - 1K
Eating out - 0.2K
Gym fees - 0.15K
Travel 1K

This leaves hardly any money to beat a hastly retreat from having a job in the social sciences. This is what real poverty is. For those of you struggling with subsistence - count your blessings. You are the functioning positive cripples.